path of least resistance
Avoiding all obstacles
The path of least resistance is the easiest route or course of action—the one requiring minimal effort, conflict, or opposition.
The phrase comes from physics, where electrical current or flowing water follows whatever channel offers the least impedance.
Applied to human behavior, it often carries a note of criticism: He always takes the path of least resistance, suggesting avoidance of difficulty rather than principled choice.
- take the easy way outChoose simplest available option
- easy way outAvoiding difficulty through shortcuts
- flowUnbroken forward movement
- shortcutQuicker alternative path
- low hanging fruitSimplest objectives to achieve
water · primrose path · smooth · slide · ease · inertia · path · convenience · entropy · choice · stream · smooth sailing · friction · pragmatism · comfort zone · default setting · drift · complacency
- social conformityconformist, peer pressure, herd mentality, groupthink, follow the crowd
- water qualitiesmurky, taste, odor, color, fresh
path of least resistanceuphill battle
Difficult prolonged endeavor
steep climb · trial by fire · baptism by fire · rough road · heavy lifting
path of least resistancedoing the right thing
Moral conduct despite difficulty
moral courage · civil disobedience · defiance · nonconformity · conscientious objection
path of least resistancegoing the extra mile
Surpassing what's asked
overachievement · road less traveled · pushing the envelope · swinging for the fences · high road
pathway, pathways, pathless, lessen, lessened, lessening, resist, resists, resisted